It’s a thrill when you sail over the water on a cruise ship, but also when you get off the ship and explore a port of call. Many ports offer a variety of entertaining, educational, or adventurous shore excursions: guided tours, beach days, and visits to cultural sites are always popular. But, some locations offer excursions you won’t find anywhere else. Here are a few of our favorites.
On a cruise of the
Alaskan coast, ships can often get close to glaciers as they meet the Gulf of
Alaska. If you want to get even closer to these slow-moving rivers of ice, some
itineraries offer helicopter viewing and trekking excursions. First, you’ll fly
over the glaciers for breathtaking views; then, you’ll land on a glacier for a
memorable hike over the ice. For even more adventure, you can add in some
dogsledding behind a team of swift Alaskan huskies.
Truffles – not the
chocolate kind, but the very rare kind that grows underground – deliver so much
complex, earthy flavor that they’re among the world’s most prized ingredients.
If your cruise takes you to Livorno, Italy, you can forage for truffles with an
experienced tartufaio and a specially trained dog (some truffle hunters
use pigs, but they tend to eat the truffles). The excursion may include a glass
of wine and some truffle-infused delicacies, too.
Cruises that begin
or end in Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, Argentina, may offer a pre-or
post-cruise excursion to spectacular Iguazú Falls, the world’s largest complex
of waterfalls. Located on the inland border between Brazil and Argentina, the
falls are a string of cascades more than 260 feet high and almost two miles
wide. The area around the falls is beautiful, too, and is home to some rare and
endangered species like jaguar, tapir, and ocelot. There are also hundreds of types
of birds, butterflies, and flowers.
If your ship calls
on a port in the Andalusia region of southern Spain – such as Cadiz, Malaga, or
Seville – take the opportunity to experience a flamenco show. Flamenco is an
art form, most often expressed through music and dance, which has a complex
history but is uniquely Andalusian. The bold and elegant music, movement, and costumes
tell a fascinating story, especially when accompanied by some Andalusian tapas
and a glass of sangria.
Talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor, for help selecting great shore excursions for your next cruise.
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